General News of Thursday, 13 June 2019

Source: ghananewsagency.org

Another suspect in alleged Takoradi kidnapping remanded in custody

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The Sekondi High Court Two on Wednesday remanded a 29-year-old John Oji into custody, in connection with the three kidnapped girls in Takoradi in the Western region.

The 29-year old Nigerian, John Oji, who appeared at the Sekondi-Takoradi High Court was charged with the offence of conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping and is to reappear on June 26, this year.

Earlier, Samuel Udoetuk, an alleged suspect standing trial in the kidnapped case mentioned John Oji as the key to unravelling the whereabouts of the kidnapped girls.

The three girls have been away for more than eight months now.

Samuel Udoetuk Wills, 28, who was in custody in connection with the kidnapping broke cell for eight days and was re-arrested on December 30.

He was subsequently charged with escape from lawful custody, destroying public property and resisting lawful arrest and convicted on all three counts and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

The arrest of Oji may speed up the process of prosecution on the substantive case of kidnapping.

Oji arrived at the Sekondi High Court in a police vehicle with his face covered which made it almost impossible for journalists to catch a glimpse of him.

Ms. Adelaide Kobire Wood, a state Attorney requested Justice Hannah Taylor, the presiding Judge to remand the suspect into police custody to enable the Police to continue with investigations into the case.

Up to date, parents, families and well-wishers are in a state of desperation in finding the three girls, Priscilla Bentum, Priscilla Mantebea Koranchie and Ruth Love Quayson who were kidnapped in different communities within the metropolis.